General Launch Information

All METRA launches are Tripoli Research Launches, with flyers covered by their Tripoli membership insurance. According to current rules, NAR members will be allowed to fly Commercial motors (only) at Tripoli launches, with NAR insurance (as long as their projects are launched according to NAR rules). Commercial and Experimental motors may be flown simultaneously at METRA launches, but all flyers who enter the High Power Pad area must be 18 or older. To fly Research motors, a Flyer will have to present at least a Level-2 Tripoli membership. There will be a separate Low Power area for our Low Power flyers to launch their rockets using Commercial motors. Note that per Tripoli and NAR rules, those under 18 years old must have completed the Tripoli TMP or NAR Jr. level 1 certification to go to the high power pads.

You must be a METRA member to fly at METRA launches, as well as a member of Tripoli or NAR. Please see this page for information on how to join METRA.

Our FAA Waiver is for a maximum flight altitude of 4500′ AGL.

Sanitary facilities (porta-johns) are available on-site.

Important notes: Always yield to ANY farm equipment on or near the launch site. This is a working farm and its farmers and employees always have the right of way. There is a 10MPH speed limit on any of the access roads and this will be strictly enforced.

METRA exists only through the dedicated efforts of its membership. METRA members are encouraged to volunteer for a share of the work load.Setup and tear down are jobs that even children can pitch in on. Range duties include LCO, Pad Manager, and RSO (this position requires a L2 and a knowledge of flight readiness). We are in constant need of volunteers at each launch. PLEASE step up to the plate and take a swing at one of these tasks. If we all take a turn, we’ll all have a chance to fly. Range duty positions require little more than a few instructions and some common sense.

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Important info concerning certification flights

ALL cert flights MUST be prearranged with the Prefect or President. Anyone who would like to make a certification attempt for ANY level is REQUIRED to work at least one field duty position per attendance day. Certification flights are flown between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM Saturday and Sunday but may be subject to change without notice.

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Range Fees

Low Power

High Power *

1 Day

2 Days

1 Day

2 Days

Junior Member

Free

Free

N/A

N/A

Family Member (Under 18)

Free

Free

N/A

N/A

Family Member (18 & Over)

$5.00

$10.00

$15.00

$20.00

Senior Member

$5.00

$10.00

$15.00

$20.00

* Includes Low Power

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Finding Your Rockets

You MAY BE REQUIRED to have some sort of locating device (active or passive) in your rocket depending on random criteria (including, but not limited to, crop growth, anticipated altitude, weight, overall design, etc.). This will be determined by the attendant RSO, or a METRA officer, BOD or other member.) Use of a “beeper” is highly recommended!

The club has also purchased a 50′ fiberglass pole. This is a fairly expensive ($300+) piece of equipment, hence it can ONLY be dispensed by one of our field personnel. Using it to recover a rocket means you assume responsibility for returning it in a condition similar to how you took it out! If you aren’t comfortable with that, please ask someone to help you. Donations to the club for use of the pole are gladly accepted!

If your rocket is stuck in a tree, and you can’t get it with a pole or thrown line, a last resort is to hire someone to climb the tree and recover it for you. Previously we’ve had one tree-climber recover a rocket: Tom (nickname: The Squirrel), his cell number 845-754-4297; the minimum charge is $100.